Orange County creates new SBE program to replace MWBE program

FL News - Published Jul 24, 2025

Orange County's Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has created a new Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification program, following their vote on on July 1, 2025, to suspend their Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification program.

The M/WBE program was suspended by the BCC following concerns that it might be exposed to legal vulnerabilities following recent federal executive orders. The purpose of the SBE program, per the ordinance establishing it, follows from the County's goal of ensuring "all segments of its business population are encouraged to do business with the county". The ordinance sets out certification criteria for SBEs, including required that they be located in the "Orlando Metropolitan Statistical Area", and allowing for size standards to be set by a manual of procedure subject to BCC approval.

There is currently a goal for SBE participation to reach 15 percent of County contracts. The M/WBE participation goal for the recently suspended M/WBE program had been set at 24 percent.

The County is planning on hosting 21 online webinars on the new SBE certification program, running from the middle of July through August 1st, 2025. Small business owners can get their questions about the certification program answered, as well as provide feedback that may be used to adjust the policies and procedures of the program.

Find the page for the new SBE program at https://www.ocfl.net/VendorServices/SmallBusinessVendors.aspx.

Find the ordinance establishing the SBE program at https://www.ocfl.net/Portals/0/Library/Vendor%20Services/docs/ORAN20250722_Ordinance_2025_22.pdf.

Read the press release from the County at https://newsroom.ocfl.net/media-advisories/press-releases/2025/07/orange-county-announces-new-small-business-enterprise-program/.